Effects of dietary aluminum on pubertal mice

Puberty is a period of rapid growth and nervous system maturation, but it is little studied as a sensitive period for neurotoxicant effects. In this experiment, diets containing 7 (control), 100, 500, 750, or 1000-microg aluminum (Al.)/g diet as Al lactate and 3.2% citrate (to promote Al absorption) were fed to male mice beginning at puberty (45 days of age) for either 4 or 8 weeks. ANOVAs were conducted to identify group differences from control, and regression analysis with Al intake was used to evaluate dose-response trends. Dose-responsive effects of dietary Al on brain weight, Al, and Mn concentration, and on grip strength were seen at the end of the 4-week exposure. Although brain Al concentration was also elevated at the end of the 8-week exposure, no dose-responsive effects on other variables were noted. Neither exposure influenced auditory startle amplitude. The period after puberty was sensitive to dietary Al exposure, but affected variables apparently recovered when exposure continued into young adulthood.